Where has all the good sales help gone? I found one, David Anicich, the store manager at Luigi Borrelli in Manhattan. New customers come to David because they want the “Borrelli Look”; their eye might not pick up the subtle nuances that separate Borrelli from say Brioni but they know it is different somehow. When the customer steps out of the dressing room and David starts working his magic, you can see the customers face go from puzzled concern to “ahhhh…thats the look I was going for.” The pants might be a little shorter than they are use to, the jacket a little more snug, the collar a little more spread, but they love it. David is like that barber who gently but firmly tells you that a mullet might not be the best haircut for your face shape.

The Sartorialist asked David a few questions about his personal style.

Best Sartorial advice to pass down to your son?Listen to your tailor, but always remember you have to wear the suit.

Hardest thing for American customer to understand about the ?Italian fit?? That a suit (or shirt) that fits the body is more natural, comfortable and flattering way to dress than the shapeless (relaxed?) fit most men are used to wearing.

You build your daily look around your? My mood and who I need to be on that day.

The first thing I look at in another Sartorialist?s outfit?The overall fit. A man who understands how his clothes should fit always looks confident and “put together”.

I skimp when buying?Jeans! classic Levi’s on sale!!!

I splurge when buying?Seven fold ties and bench made shoes.

I never break this fashion rule?I NEVER wear a watch and ALWAYS wear formal shoes with a tuxedo.

Favorite store? Casa dello Sport in Firenze and Marinella in Napoli

Favorite item of clothing? An old pair of suede chukka boots.

Describe personal style?Classic Dad.

Personal Style quirk?Re-tying my tie throughout the day until I get it right.

Dress to impress who? My sons.

Most overrated item in menswear? Denim.

Most underrated item in menswear? A good tailor and an honest salesman.

Most stylish city? New York. The mix of styles and level of self expression is like no other city.

Comments

I never went to the Borelli store in Manhattan, maybe I should, but I also was very impressed with the knowledge and service of the Borelli store in my city. Good and honese salesman are so hard to find and worth their weight in gold, there should be some sort of industry award for these outstanding people.

I also received great advice recently at my city’s Ermenegildo Zegna and Dior Homme.

You don’t wear a watch with a Tuxedo because the night ends on its own accord.

A watch suggests you have something to keep track off, once you are in the Tux the night is simply to be enjoyed – at whatever pace that you are enjoying it. When the evening ends the evening ends, even if that is well after the first lights of rosy fingered dawn

How many times have you seen women on the street dressed right from “the runway looks”, never.Thom has a certain way of wearing his own clothes but his customers can wear theirs anyway they want. I saw a guy in Thom Browne the other day on the street, he looked really great. At the time I didn’t even notice the pant length so they must have been pretty normal or I would have noticed.

Most underrated item in menswear?
A good tailor and an honest salesman.

I know whether I like my tailor or not; what is a dishonest salesman? Someone who would sell something that isn’t right for you, or doesn’t fit? I guess I have enough style sense to not really need to rely so much on a salesman as others might. Anything else I’m missing about the concept of an “honest salesman”? Thanks!